County Name and Origin

Putnam County, created in 1807, is named for General Israel Putnam of Connecticut who first distinguished himself fighting with the British in Pontiac's War. Later as a Patriot, he was one of the commanders who led the Revolutionary fighters at the Battle of Breeds Hill near Boston, the engagement misnamed the Battle of Bunker Hill. Eatonton, the county seat, is named for Commander William Eaton, naval agent to the Barbary states during the 1805 war with Tripoli.